ABISHEK KUMAR vs INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM CORPORATION LIMITED

Judgment text excerpt

$~7 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of decision: 7th February, 2026 + W.P.(C) 800/2026 & CM APPL. 3950/2026 ABISHEK KUMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Jitender Mehta, Mr. Lalit Kumar, Mr. Abhinav Kumar, Mr. Avaneesh Singh & Mr. Shivam Pahal, Advocates. versus INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM CORPORATION LIMITED .....Respondent Through: Ms. Manisha Singh, Mr. Kanav Khatana & Ms. Jyoti Singh, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT BANSAL AMIT BANSAL, J. (Oral) 1. The present writ petition has been filed impugning the letter dated 3rd December, 2025 issued by the respondent/IRCTC in terms of which the petitioner has been debarred for a period of one (1) year from participating in future projects of the respondent/IRCTC. The petitioner also impugns the letter dated 25th November, 2025 in terms of which the contract of the petitioner has been annulled. 2. Notice in the present petition was issued on 20th January 2026. 3. Counter-affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondent. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(C) 800/2026 Page 1 of 12 By:AANCHAL TAGGAR Signing Date:13.02.2026 11:37:28 4. In the present case, the petitioner was awarded a temporary license- cum-commencement of On-Board Catering Services in Train No. 12289-90, CSMT-NGP, pursuant to a Notice Inviting Limited E-Tender No.2025/IRCTC/TSV/06/MAY/27 issued by the respondent/IRCTC. 5. In terms of the Letter of Award dated 12th June 2025, the petitioner was required to deposit the following sums of money. Description Amount / Details License fee Rs. 5,78,999/- GST @ 18% Rs. 1,04,220/- Total Rs. 6,83,219/- (to be paid at IRCTC/WZ) Security deposit Rs. 68,322/- (10% of the Quoted LF to be submitted within 05 working days as advised by IRCTC (to be deposited in IRCTC/WZ)) Spl. Secur